## **📋 Before You Connect: Account Requirements**

Instagram connections in Search Atlas are powered by the Meta API, which enforces a few hard prerequisites. Check all of the following before attempting to connect:

- **Business or Creator account type:** Instagram Personal accounts cannot be linked to any third-party platform. Open the Instagram app and go to **Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account** to convert before proceeding.
- **Instagram linked to a Facebook Page:** Meta requires your Instagram Business or Creator account to be connected to a Facebook Page. In the Instagram app, go to **Settings → Account → Linked Accounts** and connect a Facebook Page.
- **Admin access on the Facebook Page:** The Facebook account you use to authorise the connection must hold Admin-level permissions on that linked Page. Ask the Page owner to upgrade your role if needed.

## **🔗 How to Connect Instagram in Search Atlas**

1. Click **Local** in the left sidebar.
2. Select **Posts** from the sub-menu.
3. Click **Connect Account** and choose **Instagram** from the platform list.
4. A Meta authorisation pop-up will open. Log in with the Facebook account linked to your Instagram Business or Creator account.
5. Grant all requested permissions — Search Atlas requires these to publish and schedule posts on your behalf.
6. Select the correct Instagram account from the list and confirm the connection.

Once connected, your Instagram account will appear in the Posts section and you can begin creating and scheduling content immediately.  


## **⚠️ Common Reasons Instagram Won't Connect**

- **Personal account type:** This is the most frequent cause. Meta's API blocks Personal accounts entirely. Convert to Business or Creator as described above, then retry.
- **Instagram not linked to a Facebook Page:** Without an active Page link, the Meta API cannot verify ownership. Add the link inside the Instagram app, then restart the connection flow in Search Atlas.
- **Insufficient Facebook Page permissions:** If you are not an Admin on the linked Page, the authorisation will fail silently or mid-flow. Confirm your role with the Page owner.
- **Pop-up blocker active:** The Meta authorisation window opens as a browser pop-up. If nothing appears after clicking Connect, disable your browser's pop-up blocker for the Search Atlas domain and try again.
- **Previously revoked Meta permissions:** If Search Atlas was removed from your connected Facebook apps, you must fully re-authorise. In Facebook, go to **Settings & Privacy → Settings → Security and Login → Apps and Websites**, remove any Search Atlas entry, then reconnect from scratch in the platform.
- **Expired access token:** Meta tokens can expire after 60–90 days. A previously connected account showing as disconnected simply needs to be reconnected using the same steps above.

## **🔄 Reconnecting a Disconnected Account**

If an Instagram account that was working before is now showing as disconnected or returning an error:

1. Go to **Local → Posts** in the left sidebar.
2. Locate the affected Instagram account and click **Reconnect**, or remove it and re-add it using the Connect Account flow.
3. Complete the Meta authorisation as described above.

If the reconnection fails immediately, verify that the Instagram account is still set to Business or Creator type and that the Facebook Page link is still active inside the Instagram app — both settings can be changed accidentally.  


## **💬 Still Need Help?**

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.